Fixing up an old Axe

S

skjaldbakan

Joined
Dec 25, 2010
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I recently bought an old Axe of an auction site for around $15 US(was actually for two but this one was in better shape) and decided to fix it up to use as my first axe.

Here is what it looked like when i first got it.
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Here it is after removing the handle, some cleaning and a soak in vinegar to remove the rust.
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After a light cleaning the only markings I could see on it was saying it was made in sweden :). Anyone got an idea of the manufacturer is.
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So as you can see it has mushroomed over in some places and I was thinking of just grinding it off on the dremel and making sure it doesn't heat up to much. Will this be okay, or would I be better of just filing it off?

Just did some sanding and I'll post some updated photos tomorrow.
 
Wow - a nice head for sure. Can't quite say what the manufacturer is without further markings, but just about every axe I've ran into that was made in sweden proved to be of very high quality, such as this one I'm restoring for my grandfather. If you look at that thread, you'll see that I used the same method (a dremel followed by filing) to fix up the mushrooming on the poll. You really don't have to worry about overheating as it's very difficult to do with a dremel and that portion isn't tempered anyways, so there isn't one to ruin :thumbup:

Good luck and I'm looking forward to seeing more!
 
A good file should be enough (and more efficient than a dremel) to get the head back into shape. That is if the poll is not hardened.


Ookami
 
Just a quick update. Today was unexpectedly busy so i didint get around to take pictures or work on the ax, so ill try to take some photos when i wake up tomorrow.
 
Just took some new photos. Off to visit a friend and do other stuff and when I get back its time to do some dremel work.
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when you get her all dressed up she ought to be a sweet little axe.

made in Sweden. # of the bigger companies are S.A. Wtterlings ( bought out by GB) Gransfors Bruks, and Hults Bruks. A while back GB were not so finely crafted so it could be an old one, but I think they used blue paint?
 
That axe has a great blade profile. It looks like a Sator Banko to me, but I could be wrong. Great find!
 
You can use a dremel or belt sander to do some gross stock removal if you choose to grind out any pits or the mushrooming and then clean it up with a good sharp file. Something with as much steel as an axe head can dissipate any heat pretty quickly to a level where it shouldn't affect the heat treatment. Good score by the way!
 
omniviking said:
when you get her all dressed up she ought to be a sweet little axe.

made in Sweden. # of the bigger companies are S.A. Wtterlings ( bought out by GB) Gransfors Bruks, and Hults Bruks. A while back GB were not so finely crafted so it could be an old one, but I think they used blue paint?
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Yep - GB did use blue paint. There are still traces of it left on the vintage 3.5lb double bit that I'm restoring here. It could be any number of manufacturers really - I'm guessing a smaller one that isn't part of the big 3. The one I'm restoring for my grandather was only stamped "sandvik sweden" and with the weight...
 
Thanks for posting this. I recently purchased a nice hatchet for $1 that I have been meaning to fix up. Maybe this is the inspiration I needed.
 
Done the dremel work, left some of the dings in for aesthetic reasons and am about to do some sanding. Unfortunately I cannot find a good file so I need to buy
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A palm held random orbital sander works well for clean up. You don't want to put gouges in the metal. Sometimes if you are careful you can also put an edge on the axe with one.Check out a pawn shop or flea market for a good used one. I use mine quite a bit using light pressure and keeping it moving. Saves you lots of time and does a nice job.
 
Loosearrow said:
A palm held random orbital sander works well for clean up. You don't want to put gouges in the metal. Sometimes if you are careful you can also put an edge on the axe with one.Check out a pawn shop or flea market for a good used one. I use mine quite a bit using light pressure and keeping it moving. Saves you lots of time and does a nice job.
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Thanks for the tip. Might try it on the next project when I have some money.
 
Just finished the sanding now its soaking in some vinegar once thats done I will post some pics. Now just need to find a good handle and give it a good sharpening and it should be ready
 
Looks like a fine project. :)
Are you going to use a full sized handle, or shorten it up a bit?
I've been considering finding a hatchet to fix up for trail use.
-Bruce
 
skjaldbakan said:
I'm aiming to have the handle length as the small forest axe
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That was going to be my guess and is a wise choice just from eyeballing the head's size. BTW, that length is rather hard to find locally... shoot me an email if you need a suggestion as far as where to pick one up :thumbup:
 
killa_concept said:
That was going to be my guess and is a wise choice just from eyeballing the head's size. BTW, that length is rather hard to find locally... shoot me an email if you need a suggestion as far as where to pick one up :thumbup:
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Thanks for the offer but unless you live in New Zealand you probably wont be able to help :D

Have just finished soaking the head in vinegar and will try to spend tomorrow finding a suitable handle. Anyone know of a good axe sharpening tutorial as this will be the first axe I have sharpened.
 
skjaldbakan said:
Thanks for the offer but unless you live in New Zealand you probably wont be able to help :D

Have just finished soaking the head in vinegar and will try to spend tomorrow finding a suitable handle. Anyone know of a good axe sharpening tutorial as this will be the first axe I have sharpened.
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Oh, sorry - Wasn't aware of that! Well best of luck finding a handle sir :(

As for the sharpening, if you want to do it the old fashioned way with a file and stone, I really like this video. Skip to 20:36 to get the the part about sharpening:

[youtube]IHmTLDG5aSg[/youtube]
 
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